Texas Porch

Mineral Rights

Oil and gas have shaped Freestone County since 1916

Freestone County has active oil and gas production, so when you buy land here, check whether the mineral rights are included or have already been severed.

Freestone County Home & Property

Oil was found in Freestone County in 1916. The county has produced petroleum and natural gas ever since. When land has a long history of oil and gas activity, the mineral rights are often sold apart from the surface land. That means the surface owner may not own what is underground. A buyer who does not check can be surprised. They may have no claim to any minerals. Or a company may have the legal right to drill on their land.

Before you buy rural land in Freestone County, ask a title company to check whether the mineral rights have been severed. The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) keeps records of oil and gas wells and production by county. You can search Freestone County well records on the RRC website to see what activity exists near a property you are considering.

Source to confirm: Railroad Commission of Texas — Oil and Gas Well Records

More Freestone County notes

Property Tax

Two offices handle your property tax in Freestone County

The appraisal district sets your property value; a separate tax office collects what you owe — they are different offices with different jobs.

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Homestead Exemption

A homestead exemption limits how fast your taxable value can rise

If you live in your home and file a homestead exemption, your taxable value cannot go up more than 10 percent in any single year, no matter how fast the market moves.

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Agricultural Valuation

Ranchers and farmers can get a big tax break through ag valuation

Land used for farming, ranching, or timber can be taxed on what it produces rather than what it would sell for, which often cuts the tax bill sharply.

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Septic / OSSF

Rural properties in Freestone County usually need a septic permit

Most rural homes in Freestone County are not on a public sewer, so a permitted septic system is required before you can build or renovate.

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